News

Group photo

Qian Xiaodong (second from left) is honoured as one of the 2026 Asia‑Pacific Young Heritage Builders

On October 12 , the 2026 Asia‑Pacific Young Heritage Builders International Exchange Event opened at the Surging Wave Pavilion (Canglang Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Classical Gardens of Suzhou.

Co‑organizers of the event include the UNESCO Office for East Asia, Suzhou Bureau of Gardens and Greening, and the UNESCO Asia‑Pacific Training and Research Centre for World Cultural Heritage. The Suzhou Sub‑centre of the Asia‑Pacific Heritage Centre and the China‑Portugal Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Cultural Heritage Conservation Science served as implementing agencies. Professor Wu Yao, Director of the Joint Laboratory, and Professor Chen Xi, Assistant Director, together with other faculty members, attended the event.

Centered on the theme “Classical Gardens: Living Conservation and Public Engagement”, the event brought together nearly 100 young heritage practitioners, experts and scholars from China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt and other countries to discuss the conservation of cultural heritage and the inheritance and innovation of traditional building crafts. Shan Jie, Vice‑Mayor of Suzhou Municipal People’s Government, Shahbaz Khan, Representative of the UNESCO Office for East Asia, and Academician Chang Qing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivered addresses at the opening ceremony.

A certificate award ceremony for the 2026 Asia‑Pacific Young Heritage Builders was held on‑site. Dr. Qian Xiaodong from the Joint Laboratory was honoured as one of the 2026 Asia‑Pacific Young Heritage Builders for his research and practical work Situational Regeneration Design for Suzhou Classical Gardens, World Cultural Heritage.

This year’s call for submissions received 68 entries from 27 countries worldwide. Nineteen outstanding projects from 10 countries were shortlisted, covering traditional craft inheritance, innovative conservation methodologies, heritage revitalization and public participation. The selected works demonstrate the innovative dynamism of young professionals in world heritage conservation.

During the event, the 3rd “Revitalizing Cultural Heritage” Short‑Video Competition was officially launched. The Suzhou Sub‑centre of the Asia‑Pacific Heritage Centre also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Domaine de Chaumont‑sur‑Loire, France. Participants visited an exhibition of innovative projects by Young Heritage Builders and took part in thematic sessions on “Landscape Resilience and Innovative Communication” and “Craft Inheritance and Block Revitalization”, sharing practical experience in evidence‑based heritage conservation, traditional craft transmission and digital innovation.

The Joint Laboratory and the Suzhou Sub‑centre of the Asia‑Pacific Heritage Centre maintain long‑term close collaboration. Leveraging their strengths in scientific research and international exchange platforms, the two sides cooperate on evidence‑based world heritage conservation, transmission of traditional building crafts, international academic events and youth talent development. In July this year, they co‑hosted an exhibition for Young Heritage Builders in Portugal, showcasing youth‑led heritage achievements globally and fostering Sino‑foreign professional dialogue. Co‑hosting this international exchange marks another tangible step in deepening their partnership.

Going forward, the Joint Laboratorywill draw on the tripartite strengths of Soochow University, City University of Macau and the University of Évora (Portugal). It will further exchanges and cooperation with international heritage institutions, advance scientific‑technological innovation and talent cultivation for cultural heritage conservation, and contribute to the sustainable development of world cultural heritage and inter‑civilizational dialogue.